Two component mixing containers

ABSTRACT

A container system includes two closable containers for containing two substances, respectively, whereby the closable containers are joined together in their closed form with their respective closures facing each other. By moving the joined containers relative to one another, the closures between the containers can be opened in such a way that their contents can be brought together and mixed. After mixing, the mixture can then be dispensed from one of the containers.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a container system for accommodatingat least two substances held separately in closable containers,and moreparticularly to such a system comprising at least two containers withclosures connected to one another in a manner permitting a user toselectively open the closures for combining the two substances togetheranother in such a way that the container volumes are connected together,and to a method for combining at least two substances held separately inpredetermined quantities in closed containers of a container system, theat least two containers with an intermediate closure disposed in betweenand closures facing one another being connected to one another and theconnected containers being opened by movement relative to one another sothat the at least two substances can be combined.

2. Discussion of Related Art

There are many known multicomponent systems which are only supposed tobe combined immediately before use so that the reaction initiated bytheir combination does not take place beforehand. It is also known that,in many cases, such multicomponent systems only function properly whenthe individual components are dispensed in certain ratios to oneanother.

There are various known double compartment systems in whichtwo-component substances are stored separately in closed form and, inorder to combine the substances, the container closures are openedbefore use by destruction, for example by cutting open or by piercingthe closure material. DE 44 36 863 relates to a double compartmentsystem in which the containers are closed by firmly wedged stopperswhich are mutually forced from their closed position by being turnedrelative to one another, thereby opening connecting passages between thecontainers. However, this has the disadvantage that the containeropenings are seriously constricted and the substances to be combined areimpeded by, and adhere partly to, the constrictions between thecontainers and their openings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive container systemfor containing at least two substances in separate but joined respectivecontainers, which after opening of the closures between the containers,the resultant openings permit free passage of the substances between thecontainers for mixing the substances together for later dispensing fromone of the containers.

The technical problem addressed by the present invention was to providean inexpensive container system in which, after opening of the closures,the container openings would be very largely free and which would bereusable, and a method by which this problem could be solved in a simpleuncomplicated manner.

With the problems of the prior art in mind, in one embodiment of theinvention, the joined containers include screw closures, whereby theclosures between the containers can each be opened and closed by screwconnection means which turn in opposite directions between adjacentcontainers.

According to the invention, this problem has been solved by designing acontainer of the type defined at the beginning in such a way that theclosures are screw closures and one of the containers is designed to beclosed by a combination of closure and intermediate closure and by amethod in which the two containers can each be opened and closed byscrew connections which turn in opposite directions.

A container system such as this has the advantage that the respectivecontainers can be filled with the individual substances--as componentsof a multicomponent system--in the correct amounts and closed by themanufacturer. The containers thus prepared can be connected to form asystem in which the individual substances are present in the correctrespective proportions and can never be confused. Just before use, thecontainers connected in the system need only be moved relative to oneanother to be opened in such a way that the container volumes areconnected to one another without the container openings being seriouslyconstricted or troublesome closure elements impeding the substancesflowing together. The substances held therein can thus be fully combinedand mixed without any interference. Through the use of screw closures,the container system is basically suitable for re-use.

If two containers joined to form a system with closures facing oneanother and screw closures turning in opposite directions are connectedto one another in an embodiment of the invention, they canadvantageously be opened by turning in the same direction. Thisadvantage, in another embodiment, can also be obtained in a system wherean intermediate closure is additionally disposed between two containers.In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the intermediate closurewith at least one screwthread, together with a screw closure turning inthe same direction, serves as a closure to one container while the othercontainer with an external screwthread turning in the same direction isdesigned to be screwed into the intermediate closure and to be closed bya screw closure turning in the opposite direction.

If, when the two containers are connected, the two screw closures lockaxially against one another via their outer circumferences, the axialmovement of one screw closure can advantageously be transmitted to theother. One screw closure can thus still be axially moved from outsidethe respective container even when it has already been opened.

In special embodiments, it is possible with advantage to store more thantwo substances in one container system and, after connection of thecontainers, to combine and mix the substances of more than two-componentsystems by turning the containers relative to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention are explained by thedescription of an example of one embodiment which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which like items are identified by the samereference designation. The one embodiment in question is based on asystem of two containers in which, for example, a two-component haircolorant is stored and can be activated by simply moving the co-joinedtwo containers relative to one another. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the containersystem broken down into its individual components.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the closed andinterconnected container system.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged detailed view of the area 2A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B show an enlarged detailed view of the area 2B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded assembly view of the container systembroken down into its individual components.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional and front elevational view through thecontainer system in the activated

FIG. 5a shows a bottom view of an upper closure for one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5b is a bottom view of an upper closure for another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of an upper closure for theinvention. position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the example of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, thecontainer system includes seven individual components. These are--fromtop to bottom--the closure cap 7, the pouring spout 8, the uppercontainer 1, the upper closure 3, the intermediate closure 5, the lowerclosure 4 and the lower container 2. Shown separately on the lowercontainer is the distance sleeve 6 which is in line with the outer wall9 of the lower container 2 and separated therefrom by a weak spot in theform of a notch. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, and the enlargedsegment of FIG. 2A, the distance sleeve 6, by bearing against theintermediate closure 5, maintains the required distance between theupper container 1 and the lower container 2 as long as they areinterconnected in closed form. As will be explained in detailhereinafter, the outer wall 9 acts primarily as a grip for thereciprocal turning from lower to upper container.

FIG. 2 clearly shows how the parts used to close and connect the twocontainers 1,2 are connected to one another when the container system isclosed and connected, but not yet activated. The design of theindividual components, especially the locking mechanism, is graphicallyillustrated by the perspective view in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows how thesystem looks after activation.

The illustrated embodiment is shown complete with screw connections forclosing and connecting the parts so that the container system as awhole, except for the distance sleeve 6, can be re-used. For thepurposes of re-use, the distance sleeve 6 must be separately welded onor replaced by a new lower container 2 with an integrally mouldeddistance sleeve 6. Generally, however, a distance element can also beclamped on so that the container system as a whole can be re-used.

The screwthreads and other connecting and locking elements whichco-operate to close and connect the containers are listed in thefollowing. Formed on the upper container 1 is an external screwthread 10which fits into the outer internal screwthread 12 of the intermediateclosure 5. The external screwthread 11 of the upper closure 3 fits intothe inner internal screwthread 13 of the intermediate closure 5. Thecombination of the intermediate closure 5 and the upper closure 3screwed into it forms the closure of the upper container 1.

A sleeve 25 with a screwthread both on its inner surface and on itsouter surface is present in the upper part of the lower container 2. Theexternal screwthread 15 of the lower container 2 fits into the internalscrewthread 13 of the intermediate container. All the screwthreadsmentioned thus far turn in the same direction; in the illustratedembodiment, they are all right-hand threads. The two screwthreads whichfit into one another, as listed hereinafter, turn in the oppositedirection; in the illustrated embodiment, they are left-hand threads.The screwthread in question is the internal screwthread 16 of the lowercontainer into which fits the external screwthread 14 of the lowerclosure.

When the two containers 1 and 2 are full, they are initially closed. Inthe case of the lower container 2, this is done by screwing in the lowerclosure 4. The upper container can be alternatively closed. The lowerpart of the upper container is first closed by the combination of theupper closure 3 and the intermediate closure 5, and the container 1closed at one end is filled through the upper opening. The upper openingof the pouring spout 8 is then closed with the closure cap 7. However,these steps can also be carried out in reverse order. If theindividually closed containers 1 and 2 are now connected by screwing thelower container 2 with its external screwthread 15 into the internalscrewthread 13 of the intermediate closure. The sleeve segments whichare formed on the outer closing surface of the lower closure 4 and whichare provided at their upper edge with a bead 18 are also moved upwards.As shown in FIG. 2B, outwardly projecting bead 18 fits together with theinwardly projecting bead 17 on the upper closure 3 so that the sleevesegments with the bead 18 bend back slightly and move into the recessformed above the bead 17 until they come into contact at their upperedge with the closure cover of the upper closure 3. The two closuresthus click into one another and are locked vertically relative to oneanother.

In addition, a stop 23 is formed on the lower closure 4, lying on thesame peripheral line as a cam 22 disposed on the base of the upperclosure 3. In addition, a projection 19 is formed peripherally on theupper closure 3 and bears against the flange 20 formed in the sleevesection 21 of the intermediate closure 5. In its closed andinterconnected form, the container system assumes the appearance shownin FIG. 2.

To activate the container system, the distance sleeve 6 is first removedby means of a tear-off strip (not shown). The lower container 2 can thusmove closer to the upper container 1. If, now, the lower container 2 isturned clockwise relative to the upper container 1, the lower closure 4turns with the lower container 2. The stop 23 engages the cam 22 so thatthe upper closure 3 also turns. The nose-like projection 19 moves alongits peripheral path until it comes into contact with the flange 20 ofthe sleeve section 21. The projection 19/flange 20 system could bereplaced by a locking mechanism with a projection 19 which engages in agroove 20. This is made possible by the fact that the sleeve section 21is flexible and is bent back by the projection 19. When the projection19 engages in the groove 20, the sleeve section 21 bends forward againand holds the projection 19 fast so that it cannot move sideways.

The path along which the projection 19 moves must of course be smallerthan one complete 360° turn. In the illustrated embodiment, it is 315°.315°--corresponding to 7/8ths of a turn--is also the closure path of theexternal screwthread 11 in the internal screwthread 13 so that, when theprojection 19 contacts the flange 20, the upper closure 3 issimultaneously released from the intermediate closure 5.

If the lower container 2 is turned further clockwise, the lower closure4 is unable to turn with it because, through the stop 23, the lowerclosure 4 comes up against the cam 22 and, through the connection withthe upper closure 3, is prevented from turning any further by thecontact of the projection 19 with the flange 20. As a result, furtherclockwise turning of the lower container 2 unscrews the left-handscrewthread 14,16 and hence the lower closure 4 which can only movevertically together with the upper closure 3 with which it is firmlyengaged through the beads 17,18. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1 to 4, the lower closure 4 is unscrewed from the lower container 2after two clockwise turns and is able to enter the interior of the uppercontainer 1 together with the clicked-on upper closure 3. The twovolumes of the upper container 1 and lower container 2 are thusconnected. The products accommodated in the containers 1,2 can then becombined and mixed and dispensed as a mixture after unscrewing of theclosure cap 7.

FIG. 5b shows a modification with reference to another embodiment. Here,the shape of the cam on the upper closure 3 has been changed from around cross-section 22, as shown in FIG. 5a, to a quasi-rectangularcross-section 22a with a tip which, in the plan view of FIG. 5b,projects to the top right. In FIG. 6, which is a plan view of anotherembodiment of the upper closure 3, the cam 22a is shown hatched andturned through 180° in order to illustrate how it co-operates with thestop 23 and an additional cam 24 of the lower closure 4. To activate thecontainer system in this embodiment, the lower container 2 and hence thelower closure 4 are turned clockwise and the stop 23 strikes the cam 22awhich, on further rotation, clicks into the gap between the stop 23 andthe cam 24. Accordingly, the system can only be turned in one direction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container system for accommodating at least twosubstances held separately in closable containers, comprising twocontainers, including axially aligned upper, intermediate, and lowerclosures therebetween, respectively, designed for connection to oneanother in the order given, and after connection, being designed to beopened by movement relative to one another in such a way that thecontainer volumes are connected together, wherein said closures arescrew closures, and one of said containers is designed to be closed by acombination of said upper closure and said intermediate closure.
 2. Acontainer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combination of saidupper closure and the intermediate closure and the one containerclosable by that combination include screwthreads turning in onedirection, whereas said lower closure closing the other container andthe other container itself comprise screwthreads turning in the oppositedirection for the purpose of closure.
 3. A container system as claimedin claim 2, wherein both containers have external screwthreads turningin one direction and are designed to be screwed into the intermediateclosure from both sides.
 4. A container system as claimed in claim 3,wherein when the two containers are connected, said upper and lowerscrew closures are designed to lock axially against one another withtheir sides remote from the container and to be held by a cam operatedstop system so that they turn in one direction only and in that, afterits release from the intermediate closure, the screw closure of saidupper closure turning in the same direction as the intermediate closureis prevented from turning any further relative to the intermediateclosure in that it is only able to move axially.
 5. A container systemas claimed in claim 4, wherein the screw closure of said upper closureturning in the same direction as the intermediate closure is preventedfrom turning any further by contact of a peripheral projection of saidupper closure with an axially extending flange in a sleeve section ofthe intermediate closure.
 6. A container system as claimed in claim 5,wherein as the screw closure of the lower closure approaches the upperclosure, a cam of the upper closure is designed to click into a gapbetween a stop and a cam of the lower closure for the purpose oflocking.
 7. A container system as claimed in claim 5, further includinga removable distance sleeve disposed between connected and closed saidtwo containers so that the two containers cannot be moved towards oneanother.
 8. A container system as claimed in claim 5, wherein at leastone container includes screw closures having opposing ends turning inopposite directions.
 9. A container system as claimed in claim 4,wherein as the screw closure of the lower closure approaches the upperclosure, a cam of the upper closure is designed to click into a gapbetween a stop and a cam of the lower closure for the purpose oflocking.
 10. A container system as claimed in claim 4, further includinga removable distance sleeve disposed between connected and closed saidtwo containers so that the two containers cannot be moved towards oneanother.
 11. A container system as claimed in claim 4, wherein at leastone container includes screw closures having opposing ends turning inopposite directions.
 12. A container system as claimed in claim 3,wherein as the screw closure of the lower closure approaches the upperclosure, a cam of the upper closure is designed to click into a gapbetween a stop and a cam of the lower closure for the purpose oflocking.
 13. A container system as claimed in claim 3, further includinga removable distance sleeve disposed between connected and closed saidtwo containers so that the two containers cannot be moved towards oneanother.
 14. A container system as claimed in claim 3, wherein at leastone container includes screw closures having opposing ends turning inopposite directions.
 15. A container system as claimed in claim 2,wherein as the screw closure of the lower closure approaches the upperclosure, a cam of the upper closure is designed to click into a gapbetween a stop and a cam of the lower closure for the purpose oflocking.
 16. A container system as claimed in claim 2, further includinga removable distance sleeve disposed between connected and closed saidtwo containers so that the two containers cannot be moved towards oneanother.
 17. A container system as claimed in claim 2, wherein bothcontainers have external screwthreads turning in one direction and aredesigned to be screwed into the intermediate closure from both sides.18. A container system as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least onecontainer includes screw closures turning in opposite directions at bothends and is connected to said another container via said intermediateclosure with respective closures facing one another.
 19. A containersystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein as the screw closure of the lowerclosure approaches the upper closure, a cam of the upper closure isdesigned to click into a gap between a stop and a cam of the lowerclosure for the purpose of locking.
 20. A container system as claimed inclaim 19, further including a removable distance sleeve disposed betweenconnected and closed said two containers so that the two containerscannot be moved towards one another.
 21. A container system as claimedin claim 19, wherein at least one container includes screw closureshaving opposing ends turning in opposite directions.
 22. A containersystem as claimed in claim 1, further including a removable distancesleeve disposed between connected and closed said two containers so thatthe two containers cannot be moved towards one another.
 23. A containersystem as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least one container includesscrew closures having opposing ends turning in opposite directions. 24.A container system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the diameter of thedistance sleeve is equal to the largest diameter of the intermediateclosure and the two containers at respective ends facing one another.25. A container system as claimed in claim 24, wherein at least onecontainer includes screw closures having opposing ends turning inopposite directions.
 26. A container system as claimed in claim 1,wherein one container includes screw closures having opposing endsturning in opposite directions.
 27. A method for combining at least twosubstances held separately in predetermined quantities in upper andlower closed containers, respectively, of a container system, said upperand lower containers being connected via axially aligned upper,intermediate, and lower closures, respectively, being connected in theorder given to one another, and the connected upper and lower containersbeing opened by movement relative to one another so that the at leasttwo substances can be combined, wherein the method comprises the stepsof:including screw connections between said upper, intermediate, andlower closures, and said two containers; and selectively turning saidscrew connections in opposite directions for opening and closing thevolumes of said containers to one another, respectively.
 28. A containersystem having a plurality of containers for holding a plurality ofsubstances, respectively, said system comprising:means for connectingsaid plurality of containers successively together; said connectingmeans including a screw closure between said plurality of containers,for permitting said plurality of containers to have their volumes andrespective substances closed off from one another until the substancesare to be combined, whereafter said screw closure means provides forsaid plurality of containers to be turned in opposite directions foroperating said screw closure to open, thereby permitting the substancesto be combined and dispensed from a bottom or top one of said pluralityof containers.
 29. The container system of claim 28, wherein said screwclosure includes:respective upper, intermediate, and lower screwclosures between and connecting said plurality of containers; saidplurality of containers having an upper container and a lower containerdesigned to screw into said intermediate screw closure on opposite endsthereof; said upper screw closure being designed to screw into an end ofsaid intermediate screw closure end proximate said upper container; andeach lower screw closure being designed to screw into said intermediatescrew closure end proximate said lower container.